The Early Second Hit in Trauma Management Augments the Proinflammatory Immune Response to Multiple Injuries

Abstract

Immediate surgical treatment of patients with multiple injuries augments the proinflammatory immune response in the early phase of recovery as determined by increased IL-6 and sTREM-1 plasma levels. If not required solely for damage control, the early second hit from additional surgical stress might promote posttraumatic complications by surcharging the innate immune response to injury.